How Much Does It Cost to Study in Australia?
With a staggering 38 out of 41 universities ranking globally, it's no surprise that many prospective international students choose to study in Australia. Australia hosts more than 600,000 international students every year. In 2023, this number was closer to 790,000, and experts expect this upward trend to continue.
Thanks to its excellent opportunities for career readiness and high standards of living, it’s high on the list of preferences for students considering studying abroad. But the natural question that arises: how much is it going to cost you to study in Australia? Let’s break down the budget requirements of getting a world-class degree at an Australian university.
The Key Components of Your Costs of Studying in Australia
Tuition Fees
First things first, how much will your dream university program cost? Tuition fees in Australia can differ depending on a number of factors:
| Traits | More expensive if it’s | More affordable if it’s |
| Size | A large university, in terms of student, faculty, and research output size | A small university, in terms of student, faculty, and research output size |
| Prestige | A prestigious and popular university | Not one of the country’s biggest, best-known universities |
| Public/private | A private university (generally) | A public university |
| Location | In a city with higher costs of living | In a city with lower costs of living |
| Program | A highly technical or resource-intensive program | A less resource-intensive program |
| Level of study | A Bachelor’s program (longer duration of study) | A master’s program (shorter duration of study) |
These factors contribute to a wide range of tuition fees. Fees can span from AUD 34,500 to AUD 94,000 per year for undergraduate students and AUD 6,256 to AUD 88,500 per year for master's students, depending on the program and university.
Costs of Living
Aside from your course fees, to study in Australia, you must be able to pay for your day-to-day living expenses. According to the Australian visa requirements, as of October 2023, students need to prove that they have a minimum savings of AUD 24,505 per year to cover living expenses.
How much money you need to comfortably cover your stay in Australia depends on a number of things.
The City
The city you decide to live in has the broadest impact on your costs of living. According to QS Best Student Cities 2024, the 5 most affordable cities in Australia, from most to least affordable, are:
1. Gold Coast
2. Adelaide
3. Perth
4. Canberra
5. Brisbane
Sydney and Melbourne rank as the most expensive cities to live in Australia for international students. But Sydney and Melbourne are also home to some of the country’s – and the world’s – best universities. Remember that the general overview of affordability is just a glimpse of the opportunities available. You can very well find opportunities in the more expensive cities of Australia in your budget by looking at some of the factors below.
The Neighborhood
Australia is a large country, and its cities are similarly huge and diverse. Costs of living can vary considerably within individual cities just as they vary from city to city. For example, typically, rent can be cheaper the farther out from the city center you go. Tuition fees within the same city can vary depending on the location of the university within the city!
Accommodation
One of the biggest components of your costs of living when you study in Australia is accommodation. There are two broad categories for student accommodation in Australia – we break down below what to consider for each:
| On-Campus Accommodation: | Off-Campus Accommodation: |
| Convenience – close to campus, classes, and student support facilities | Independence and flexibility in living space |
| Cost ranges from AUD 200 to AUD 400 per week, depending on the university and room type | Rental costs for a shared apartment or house can range from AUD 150 to AUD 300 per week, while a private studio may cost between AUD 250 to AUD 500 per week |
| The up-front price tag typically covers utilities such as electricity, water, and internet, in a one-off payment for a specific time period | You will need to pay for utilities, internet, and other living expenses separately and budget for these accordingly |
| Annual Cost Estimate: Considering an average weekly cost of AUD 300, the annual accommodation expenses can amount to approximately AUD 15,600 |
Annual Cost Estimate: For a private studio at AUD 400 per week, annual expenses would be around AUD 20,800. |
Transport
Whether you’re staying on campus or renting farther out, transport costs are a necessary consideration since you will need to get around town. Luckily, Australian cities have excellent public transport facilities connecting their various locales, making navigation a breeze. Better yet, there are student discounts and reduced fares available for anyone moving to study in Australia!
● Weekly Pass: A weekly public transport pass may cost around AUD 40 to AUD 50, providing cost-effective travel options for students.
● Monthly Pass: Opting for a monthly pass could range from AUD 150 to AUD 200, depending on the city and type of transport.
● Annual Cost Estimate: Assuming the student selects a monthly pass, their annual transport expenditure could total approximately AUD 1,800 to AUD 2,400.
Other Costs
Other expenses for international students in Australia include:
• Groceries - AUD 80-120/week
• Utilities - AUD 100-200/month
• Internet - AUD 50-100/month
• Mobile Plan - AUD 20-50/month
• Textbooks and Supplies – AUD 500-1,000/year
• Health Insurance - AUD 500-700/year
• Social Activities - AUD 50-100/week
• Miscellaneous expenses - AUD 50-100/week
Financial Requirements to Study in Australia
The Subclass 500 student visa specifies some financial requirements you need to cover as part of the application process. You will need to show proof of minimum funds to cover:
| Costs | Minimum requirement |
| Course Fees | Up to 12 months |
| Living Costs | AUD 24,505 for students |
| Travel Expenses | AUD 2000 when applying from outside Australia |
Scholarships
Fortunately, Australian universities offer a plethora of scholarships for international students.
To name just a few, have a look at the following options:
| University Name | Scholarship |
| UNSW |
International Student Award India Future of Change Scholarship |
| Monash University | Sir John Monash Scholarship for Excellence |
| University of Adelaide | Global Citizens Scholarship |
| University of Wollongong | University Excellence Scholarship |
| Macquarie University | Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship |
| Deakin University | Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship |
| University of Tasmania | Tasmanian International Scholarship |
| James Cook University | JCU Deans’ Scholarship |
| University of South Australia | International Merit Scholarship |
Rounding Up
Ultimately, the costs you have to consider when choosing to study in Australia can depend on a lot of factors. What program you choose, which university you attend, its location, and how you manage your living expenses all tally into the total costs. Nonetheless, remember that a higher education degree in Australia is an investment in your future. Explore your ideal options within your budget through thorough research, or with the support of one of Gradstar’s own study abroad counsellors!
